Kia's back in Forza! This time around, they've added the latest car to bear the new Kia logo. You know the one, the weird-looking one with the "Movement that Inspires" slogan.
What Kia is this, you may ask? Here's a hint; this is the overall prize car in the Forza Horizon 5 Modern Horizons update by hitting 80 points. It won the 2022 European COTY, 2022 Korean COTY, 2022 Red Dot Award for Best of the Best Car Design and Innovative Product, 2022 What Car? Awards Car of the Year and Electric SUV of the Year, and of course, 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.
The answer is this; The Kia EV6 GT. Before driving this award-winning EV, let's take a quick dive into the EV6 GT.
First launched in 2021, the Kia EV6 signaled the beginning of a new age for Kia. With its just-size styling and performance that defy expectations, the EV6 is the real materialization of the "Movement that Inspires" slogan. The EV6 GT is the range-topper that starts at 76,680,000 Korean Won plus additional costs when it went on sale a year after the normal EV6's launch. With the GT button pressed, it will unleash the full capability of the EV6 GT. Apart from the adjustments to the e-LSD, electronically controlled suspension, and whatnots, it delivers an explosive performance of 585PS of power, 740Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 260kph. As for the range, it's good for a combined 312km.
Not too shabby for an EV, right? Yes and no. Although I am utterly grateful to have a spin with this high-performance all-electric crossover that upsets the world over, that's the new world order the Korean way to you, feels like it wasn't enough to take on this...
As Han from The Fast and The Furious universe said, “What you think, I’m gonna let you roll in a Hyundai?” For now, yes. There's an all-electric Hyundai crossover that is worthy of bearing the N mark and I won this car straight from the Modern Horizons Storm Season Playlist.
This is the first-ever Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. The all-electric high-performance crossover with the credentials of the N car.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the high-performance version of the IONIQ 5 crossover and a sure sign that N is embracing electrification. It's got a sporty design, and the N Steering Wheel with N-specific functions, as well as a center console with race-specific features for your track day use.
The IONIQ 5 N is armed with an 84 kWh Li-ion battery pack and two electric motors powering the front and rear wheels. It produces a default 609 PS of power and 740 Nm of torque, more powerful than the Kia EV6 GT. With the N Grin Boost engaged for ten seconds, the power gets bumped to 650 PS, and with N Launch Control in play, it's capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 260 km/h.
Although winning the 2024 World Performance Car award as well as Top Gear 2023 Car of the Year, Hyundai has really outdone itself with the IONIQ 5 N. This high-performance electric crossover not only looks the part but it's got the power and speed to back it up. The fact that it recently set a new record at Pikes Peak with a time of 9 minutes and 30.852 seconds in the Modified and Production SUV/Crossover classes is proof of that. I'm sure this car will continue to turn heads and make waves in the automotive world.
Having enjoyed driving the two award-winning Korean EVs, it's time for the long-awaited duel. The Kia EV6 GT and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N will clash to the top of the caldera with the fastest time will decide the victor. Obviously, the IONIQ 5 N has the upper hand because it's more powerful than the EV6 GT and it has one thing the EV6 GT doesn't; the N Drift Optimizer. I can enable the IONIQ 5 N's drifting capabilities at the push of the button. Long story short but you get the point.
Anyway, the grudge match between the two Korean high-performance EVs is about to begin. Roll the tape. Dojeon!
And now the results...
EV6 GT - 3m31.428s
IONIQ5 N - 3m23.687s
Hyundai wins the day! With its powerful electric drivetrain, unorthodox dynamics, and recent PPIHC experience, the IONIQ 5 N proved itself to be the victor over the Kia EV6 GT. I have to say that Hyundai really outdid itself with this high-performance electric crossover. Not only does it look the part, but it's also got the power and speed to back it up. With these recent developments, it's clear to me that Hyundai is embracing electrification, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
As Korean car manufacturers, Kia and Hyundai are in some ways part of the same family tree. But in another way, their recent models are showing the opposite to be true. The Kia EV6 GT and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N both won Car of the Year in their respective years, but when you pit these award-winning cars against each other, the Hyundai comes out on top.
The "new normal" is upon us, and it's clear that electrification is the future. But the Hyundai Motor Group knows how to make EVs fast and clever. They've made these cars not just environmentally friendly but really fun to drive as well.
The more you know.
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